The Neil Lasher Music Fund at Caron and the BMAC to collaborate in addressing the stigma of addiction in the Black music world

Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Founder of the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), Joins the Founders Board of The Neil Lasher Music Fund at Caron Treatment Centers

Wernersville, PA – January 17, 2024 – Caron Treatment Centers, an internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention and addiction medicine education, announced Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Founder of the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), an advocacy organization that addresses systemic racism in the music business, has joined the Founders Board of The Neil Lasher Music Fund at Caron . The fund provides financial assistance for drug and alcohol addiction treatment to those affiliated with the music world. The Neil Lasher Music Fund Founder’s Board members include music industry powerhouses Monte Lipman, Daniel Glass, Judy Collins, Michael McDonald, Evan Lamberg, Jody Gerson, Paul Williams and Greg Sowder, among others.

The two organizations will work together to address the stigma of addiction in the Black music world and to provide support to members of that community seeking treatment. Plans are underway to provide artist “recovery” support spaces at music festivals and other venues, and to create an awareness-building event in Atlanta this year.

Prophet shared, "Systemic racism creates and perpetuates generational poverty and a correlated lack of access to healthcare in our communities. These systems create a perfect storm that leaves us consistently facing untreated trauma and without resources to address self-medication and addiction. BMAC is proud to partner with the Neil Lasher Music Fund to begin to remove economics as a barrier to healing and mental health care."

Dina LaPolt, Founders Board member, entertainment lawyer and artist rights advocate commented “Seeking help for addiction and mental health issues is unfortunately still highly stigmatized within the Black community, and BMAC wants to align with the Neil Lasher Music Fund to help the community with awareness, education, and resources. In my role as a member of the Executive Leadership Council of BMAC, Prophet and I have worked together for years on our music creator and social justice advocacy efforts. I was glad to help connect Prophet ti our Founders Board, and I know that together we will facilitate important change.”

Prophet will speak at the Neil Lasher Music Fund’s 3^rd Annual Breakfast with the Founders Board on February 2^nd in Los Angeles. HERE is more information on the breakfast. The Music Fund’s Founder Jill Jordon said “We are excited to have Prophet join our board and bring his energy and expertise to our efforts to help those in need of treatment for addiction. With his help, we will substantially broaden the scope of our outreach and we look forward to our collaboration.”

ABOUT BLACK MUSIC ACTION COALITION

The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) endeavors to uphold and actualize the mission of Black Lives Matter in the music industry and reach racial justice not just across labels, publishers, agencies, distributors, and DSP's but throughout society at large. BMAC works together with leaders from various business leaders to hold their companies accountable and implement a system of checks and balances to ensure change takes root. The group fosters and shepherds various educational, mental health, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, policing, social justice, and political causes that directly impact Black communities. To find out more on BMAC, please visit: https://www.bmacoalition.org/

ABOUT THE NEIL LASHER MUSIC FUND

THE NEIL LASHER MUSIC FUND at Caron Treatment Centers was established in honor of music and recovery legend Neil Lasher to provide financial assistance for drug and alcohol recovery treatment for musicians, their families, and others in the music industry. The Fund also supports the integration of music therapy into treatment through the creation of music studios and the support of certified music therapists on Caron’s campuses. Neil lived a sober life for more than 30 years. He was a lifeline

to many struggling with addiction in the music community many of whom he directed to affordable treatment. In 1997 he established, with MusiCares (a division of The Recording Academy),

a Safe Harbor Room—a sober space backstage for those in need of a supportive drug and alcohol-free environment—that runs annually during GRAMMY® week. These sober spaces have

since become common at music festivals nationwide. Neil was loved by many and will be missed but never forgotten.

ABOUT CARON TREATMENT CENTERS

CARON TREATMENT CENTERS is an internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention, and addiction medicine education. Headquartered in Wernersville, Pennsylvania, our mission is Recovery for Life. For nearly 70 years, we have helped thousands of individuals struggling with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health disorders and their families begin to manage this chronic, treatable disease. Caron provides a continuum of care for teens, young adults, women, men and older adults. We also provide concierge treatment services through our signature programming for executives and older adults. Our campuses in Pennsylvania and Palm Beach County, Florida are anchored by state-of-the-art medical centers and we have offices in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and New York City. Caron accepts several major insurance plans and provides financial assistance for those who qualify. For more information, please visit caron.org or @CaronTreatment.

Media Contacts:

Kristin Campbell-Salamone,
Corporate Director of PR & Communications, Caron Treatment Centers
kcampbell-salamone@caron.org
215-292-5526

Katie Kennedy,
Senior Vice President, Gregory FCA
caron@gregoryfca.com
610-731-1045